Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (Part 37)
Prophet Ibrahim’s (peace be upon him) Visit to His Family
From time to time, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) used to visit Hajar and his son Isma‘il (peace be upon them) in Makkah. One day, he sought permission from his wife Sarah to visit his wife and son. Sarah permitted him, and he set out toward Makkah. When he reached the place where he had left them, he discovered that Hajar had passed away. He found Isma‘il, who had by then married a woman from the tribe of Jurhum.
Imam al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates in his Sahih from Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) in a lengthy hadith:
“The boy (i.e., Isma‘il, peace be upon him) grew up and learned Arabic from them. They loved him dearly, and when he reached maturity, they gave him one of their women in marriage. Isma‘il’s mother passed away. After his marriage, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) came to check on his family but did not find Isma‘il at home. He asked his wife about him. She said: ‘He has gone out to seek provision for us.’ Ibrahim (peace be upon him) then asked about their condition and living situation. She replied: ‘We are living in hardship, difficulty, and poverty,’ and she complained about him. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said: ‘When your husband returns, convey my greetings to him and tell him to change the threshold of his door.’
When Isma‘il (peace be upon him) returned, as if he sensed something, he asked: ‘Has anyone come here?’ She said: ‘Yes, an old man came, such and such, and he asked about you. I informed him. He asked about our condition, and I told him we are living in hardship and poverty.’ Isma‘il (peace be upon him) asked: ‘Did he instruct you with anything?’ She said: ‘Yes, he asked me to convey his greetings to you and to tell you to change the threshold of your door.’ Isma‘il (peace be upon him) said: ‘That was my father, and he has ordered me to divorce you. Go back to your family.’ Thus, he divorced her and married another woman from the same tribe.
By the will of Allah, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) remained away for some time, then returned again. He did not find Isma‘il, so he went to his wife and asked about him. She said: ‘He has gone out to seek provision for us.’ Ibrahim (peace be upon him) asked about their condition and livelihood. She replied: ‘We are living in goodness and ease,’ and she praised Allah. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) asked: ‘What is your food?’ She said: ‘Meat.’ He asked: ‘And your drink?’ She said: ‘Water.’ Ibrahim (peace be upon him) supplicated: ‘O Allah, bless their meat and water.’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: At that time, they did not have grains; otherwise, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) would have prayed for blessings in them as well. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said: No one outside Makkah survives on meat and water alone except that it becomes unsuitable for him, but in Makkah, due to the blessings of Ibrahim’s supplication, it suffices.
Ibrahim (peace be upon him) then said: ‘When your husband returns, convey my greetings to him and tell him to keep firm the threshold of his door.’ When Isma‘il (peace be upon him) came back, he asked: ‘Has anyone visited you?’ She said: ‘Yes, a noble-looking old man came,’ and she praised him. ‘He asked about you, and I informed him. He asked about our condition, and I told him we are in goodness and ease.’ Isma‘il (peace be upon him) asked: ‘Did he instruct you with anything?’ She said: ‘Yes, he conveyed his greetings to you and told you to keep firm the threshold of your door.’ Isma‘il (peace be upon him) said: ‘That was my father, and you are the threshold. He has ordered me to keep you.’” [1]
Lessons and Key Points Derived from the Hadith Narrated by Imam al-Bukhari and Ibn ‘Abbas
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The Importance of a Wife in Family Life
This hadith clearly shows that the wife (referred to as the “door threshold”) plays a key role in the success or failure of a marriage. The ungratefulness and complaints of Isma‘il’s first wife led to divorce, while the patience, gratitude, and wisdom of the second wife brought stability and blessings. This highlights that gratitude, good character, and wise management during hardships are invaluable traits for a wife and can transform family life.
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The Value of Gratitude and Contentment
Despite having only meat and water, the second wife of Isma‘il (peace be upon him) expressed gratitude and satisfaction, praising Allah. This led to Ibrahim’s supplication for blessings in their food and drink. The lesson is that blessings in life stem from gratitude and acceptance of Allah’s decree, while ingratitude strips away blessings.
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The Wisdom and Foresight of the Prophets
Ibrahim (peace be upon him), by questioning Isma‘il’s wives without revealing his identity, acted with wisdom and discretion. Through symbolic language (“changing the threshold”), he conveyed his message, which his son understood and acted upon. This demonstrates the prophets’ insight in guiding and reforming their families.
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The Importance of Maintaining Family Ties
Despite the long and difficult journey, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) visited Makkah multiple times to check on his son and family. This is a great example of the importance of maintaining kinship ties and caring for one’s children and family, even if they live far away.
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The Blessings and Virtues of Makkah
Ibrahim’s supplication for blessings in meat and water signifies Allah’s special blessings for the people of Makkah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) confirmed this unique virtue by stating that outside Makkah, meat and water alone would not suffice for sustenance, but in Makkah, they do, due to Ibrahim’s prayer.
The Construction of the Ka‘bah by Prophet Ibrahim and His Son (peace be upon them)
One of the most significant and meaningful events in the history of Islam and the Abrahamic faiths is the construction of the Ka‘bah. This sacred House, which today serves as the qiblah for Muslims worldwide, has its roots in Allah’s command and the sincere effort of two great prophets. Allah, the Almighty, instructed Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to build a House for His worship, similar to how the angels worship Him in the heavens. Allah showed him the place, which had been prepared since the creation of the heavens and the earth.
Regarding the construction of the Sacred House in Makkah by Ibrahim (peace be upon him) with the help of his son Isma‘il (peace be upon him), Allah the Exalted says: “وَإِذْ بَوَّأْنَا لِإِبْرَاهِیمَ مَكَانَ الْبَیتِ أَن لَّا تُشْرِكْ بِی شَیئاً وَطَهِّرْ بَیتِی لِلطَّائِفِینَ وَالْقَائِمِینَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ وَأَذِّن فِی النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ یأْتُوكَ رِجَالاً وَعَلَى كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ یأْتِینَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِیقٍ”. [2]* Translation: “(O Prophet!) And remember when We prepared for Ibrahim the place of the House, saying: ‘Do not associate anything with Me, and purify My House for those who perform tawaf, those who stand (in prayer), and those who bow and prostrate. And proclaim to the people the Hajj: they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant mountain pass.’”
Allah also says: “إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَیتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِی بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكاً وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِینَ * فِیهِ آیاتٌ بَینَاتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَاهِیمَ وَمَن دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِناً وَلِلّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَیتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَیهِ سَبِیلاً وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ الله غَنِی عَنِ الْعَالَمِینَ”. [3] Translation: “Indeed, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing and a guidance for all worlds. In it are clear signs—the Station of Ibrahim. Whoever enters it is safe. And Hajj to this House is a duty owed to Allah by all people who are able to make the journey. And whoever disbelieves, then surely Allah is free from need of all the worlds.”
وَإِذِ ابْتَلَى إِبْرَاهِیمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ قَالَ إِنِّی جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَاماً قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّیتِی قَالَ لاَ ینَالُ عَهْدِی الظَّالِمِینَ * وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا الْبَیتَ مَثَابَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْناً وَاتَّخِذُواْ مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِیمَ مُصَلًّى وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَى إِبْرَاهِیمَ وَإِسْمَاعِیلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَیتِی لِلطَّائِفِینَ وَالْعَاكِفِینَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ * وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِیمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَذَا بَلَداً آمِناً وَارْزُقْ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ مَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُم بِاللّهِ وَالْیوْمِ الآخِرِ قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُ قَلِیلاً ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُ إِلَى عَذَابِ النَّارِ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِیرُ * وَإِذْ یرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِیمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَیتِ وَإِسْمَاعِیلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِیعُ الْعَلِیمُ * رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَینِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّیَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَینَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِیمُ * رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِیهِمْ رَسُولاً مِّنْهُمْ یتْلُو عَلَیهِمْ آیاتِكَ وَیعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَیزَكِّیهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ العَزِیزُ الحَكِیمُ”. [4] Translation: “And remember when the Lord of Ibrahim tested him with words (commands and prohibitions), which he fulfilled completely. Allah said: ‘Indeed, I will make you a leader for mankind.’ Ibrahim said: ‘And of my descendants?’ Allah said: ‘My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.’ … (And remember) when Ibrahim and Isma‘il raised the foundations of the House, they prayed: ‘Our Lord, accept this from us. Truly, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. Our Lord, make us Muslims in submission to You, and from our descendants a Muslim nation in submission to You. Show us our rituals, and turn to us in mercy. Truly, You are the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. Our Lord, send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses, teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them. Truly, You are the Mighty, the Wise.’”
In these verses, Allah the Almighty recalls His servant, messenger, friend, and intimate companion—Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him)—who, with the help of his son Isma‘il (peace be upon him), rebuilt the ancient House (Ka‘bah), the first mosque established for mankind, where they would worship Allah. Allah showed him its place and guided him to its location.
Continues…
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References:
- Rawa al-Bukhari in the book of the prophets
- Hajj: 26-27.
- Al-Imran: 96-97.
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Al-Baqarah: 124-129. By
